You may have heard of Mindfulness. There’s a lot of information out there and seems to be a bit of a buzz word in the mental health sector at the moment.
But what exactly is mindfulness?
The basic notion is that mindfulness is an important mindset, that helps bring ourselves into the present moment. This means it releases us of anxiety producing thoughts, which reduces stress to help you feel good (or great! 😊 ).
This Friday's Career Chat hosted by Ostara we will be discussing what mindfulness is and isn't, plus learning techniques for developing the mindfulness mindset and understanding how we can use it at work (and anytime!) to feel good.
We have kicked off today's session a big welcome to @sadgirl and @mumsbestfriend who asked for a reminder 🙂
Good morning and welcome to today’s important forum about … Mindfulness in the workplace. Thank you to @NikNik for your introduction and to @sadgirl, @Bimby2and @Former-Member for your interest and queries.
I am happy to say that today, I think your questions will be answered .. and maybe some new questions will be raised.
Let’s begin with what is out there about mindfulness …
I really love this image to depict Mindfulness (because let’s face it there’s a lot of information out there and it’s not all clear)
So what do you make of this image?
Sometimes a picture can tell 1000 words and in this case it’s definitely trying to do that – there are often 1000 thoughts racing around in the person's mind ... while he or she walks through the park.
Mindful practice says we should come into the present and just be in the space we are in … right here right now and therefore experience the moment more fully.
For the person in this image thoughts are racing … not necessarily anxiety producing thoughts either … just random thoughts.
But the pet doggy is just present, looking at what’s around, experiencing the park. Nothing more.
The deeper sub message of this image is that when you are mindful you are not going to hold onto things because you’re always in the present moment. The liberating aspect of this is that every moment is fresh and new and holds NO previous or anticipatory anxiety producing thoughts … which of course can be very relaxing.
Notice how children and animals don't bring any extra thoughts to the moment - theyr'e just 'in it'?
Are you ever able to just be in the present moment? Have you experienced what this pup is experiencing – just what you’re seeing and not what you mentally and emotionally bring to the situation?
Is all this confusing?
Love to know your thoughts ...
Good morning @Bimby2 what a great question!
Thanks for being part of this!
Mindfulness is definitely a learned skill - anyone can learn it because we all started life this way!
As children we could only ever operate in a mindful state - we had no previous experience of anything so all we brought to our life was open curiosity ...
However as we grew up we were bombarded with information and maybe ... anxiety producing situations which then coloured and influenced all our future experiences.
These thoughts unless controlled can have cumulative and detrimental effects - but we can re-learn to let go of our 'invading thoughts' and simply be in the moment, once again experiencing things as we did when we were children (hey wouldnt' that be cool!)
The big question is ... how do we do that?
And your meditation idea is perfect because through developing a meditation practice you can train your mind to be stiller ... when it's still you are less likely to allow intrusive thoughts ... therefore producing more prolonged mindful activity.
That is, more activities and experiences in which you just enjoy the moment with curiosity and little or no judgement.
Other ways of learning mindfulness include consciously being aware of your thoughts, this takes practice but it's worth it. That's why you hear people saying 'come into the present moment' because when you realise you're not 'in the here and now' you can stop your racing mind, focus on something in the present moment and stop stressing ... or stop your mind racing.
I hope this has helped, love to hear your experiences with meditation or mindfulness if you get a chance. 
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.